Robert Lawrence "Larry" Helean

MISSOULA ~ Robert "Larry" Lawrence Helean was the first born of his family on August 11, 1936 in Spokane, Washington to Bernard James and Marie Lenoue Helean. Larry, or Bobby as friends and family called him in his early years, attended grade school in Spokane then spent one year at Gonzaga Prep High School. After his family moved to Missoula he graduated class of 1954 at Missoula County High, then had a brief moment at Carroll College in Helena.

His high school sweetheart Bea Swartz of Clinton later became his wife when they married on August 18, 1956 at St. Anthony Church in Missoula. Coincidentally, they shared the same anniversary of August 18th as Bea’s parents, Charlie and Mildred Swartz. This date would become of great significance to Larry over the coming years as their posterity grew.

One year later, on Aug 18, 1957 they would grow their family by adding their first of three sons, Robert Mark. The next year, Gregory Charles was born. In 1963, Michael James made it a trio.

He began working for the family business Helean Logging as a teenager. He worked in the woods most of his adult life and had the stories to prove it. Escaping death numerous times, later told in hilarious detail. If you knew Larry you probably heard the story of the time the tree hit him square on the head, which he’d tell you is why he lost all his hair. Countless friends were made at the logging camp up Fish Creek. Eventually his two oldest boys spent their formative years logging with him in the woods where he was “Boss.”

Later in life he hauled dry cement for Wimett trucking across Montana. He and Bea also owned the Dairy Queen on Brooks St. Larry loved to have his family around, even while he drove truck. He taught his grandchildren the value of hard work through example. During the summers he would take the grandkids on some of his day trips across Montana and share with them stories along the way. Some of their fondest childhood memories include the slow hauls up the continental divide with a full load of cement.

When Larry wasn’t working, you might have caught him showing off from a rope swing in the backyard of their old house on Franklin Street, entertaining friends at their house on Cloverdale Drive, or manicuring any one of his lawns to perfection. Summers were often spent up at Flathead Lake at the cabin in Indian Bay. After he retired he spent his mornings at Liberty Lanes for coffee or Red’s Bar with old friends and sharing tales.

Sports were a large part of his life. He played in and won back to back Montana State football championships for the Spartans. He was a loyal Montana Grizzlies fan throughout his life which was recognized with the Montana licence plate proudly displayed 1BDBEAR. As his boys grew Bea and Larry were their biggest cheerleaders at all their sporting events. As their boys had families they supported all of the grandkids and great grandchildren in all their activities. Traveling between Washington, Utah and Montana.

Larry cared about people and people loved him in return. No matter where he would go around Missoula he found someone he knew and that he could swap stories with. He loved to make people smile, whether that was telling a joke, tipping with a few gold dollars, or simply giving service to another. He was genuinely always looking out for people. He often drove a community bus for the underprivileged and donated to many good causes close to him and his family.

Family was everything to Dad, whether in person, on social media, or on FaceTime, he always made an effort to stay involved in each of our lives to the very end. He was an example to his family and someone we all looked up to.

Larry is survived by his devoted sons Mark (Julene) Lehi, UT, Greg (Kathryn) Kirkland, WA, and Mike (Lisa) Missoula, MT, his only two granddaughters, Tessa and Taylor, as well as his six grandsons Dan, Ryan, Jason, Andrew, Chad, and Thomas, and of course his ten prized great-grandchildren, Cooper, Ava, Allie, Miller, Easton (b. Aug 18, 2016), Livie, Fiona, Reed, Griffon and McKinzley. Brother Phil Helean and sisters Julie Clark and Connie Preston, as well as a large number of nieces, nephews, and cousins. Larry is preceded in death by his loving wife, Beatrice May Helean, his brothers Mick and Dick, and his parents Bernard and Marie Helean.

We want to thank all of the many family and friends that have been so loving and supportive of Dad. Additionally we are grateful for the caregivers and hospital staff at both the Springs and St. Pats who provided Larry with excellent care and friendship during his final days.

Memorial Service planned for April 11 in Missoula. Time and location TBD.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to one of his favorite charities The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.